The motion is in order. To the motion?

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried. Tabled Document 438-19(2) will be reported as ready for consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

---Carried

Thank you, Minister, and thank you to the witnesses. Moving on to the next.

All right, so thank you to the witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber. And Members, we'll take a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 439-19(2) Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022. These Supplementary Estimates propose a total increase of $17.2 million, $16 million of which will be offset by revenues from the Government of Canada. Notable items which are federally funded include:

• $4.9 million in support of First Nations and Inuit home and community care;
• $3.2 million to reduce risk in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• $2.8 million in support of early learning and childcare programs;
• $979,000 in support of the Regional Air Transportation Initiative; and,
• $800,000 to deliver the Tourism Restart Investment Program.

In addition, these supplementary estimates include:

• $1.2 million to address a budget shortfall in the fire operations suppression division related to the 2021 forest fire season.

That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair, and I'd be happy to answer questions.

Thank you, Minister. Do you wish to bring witnesses into the House?

Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, would you please reintroduce your witnesses for the record.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Back again, I have the deputy minister of finance Bill MacKay, and the deputy secretary to the Financial Management Board Terence Courtoreille.

Thank you, and welcome. I will now open the floor for general comments. Seeing no general comments, we'll review the supplementary estimates by department.

The committee has agreed to forego general comments on each department. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

All right. Committee, we will begin on page 4 with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Supplementary Estimate (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022, Department of Education, Culture and Employment, early learning and child care, not previously authorized, $2,769,000. Does committee agree? Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I see we're spending $2.7 million on early learning and child care. That's great, and then it's fully offset from the Government of Canada. That's even better.

Can I just get a bit of an explanation of what this fund is and especially in relation to, I see it runs to 2025, in relation to the upcoming childcare fund and agreement we could sign. I just want to understand how, if at all, they work together. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Finance.

Madam Chair, the Minister of ECE is eager to provide that detail.

Thank you. Minister of ECE.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So we have had an existing deal with the Government of Canada for a number of years. They have been providing us funding for early learning and child care in and around the tune of $2.5 million a year. We have re-signed that deal recently. And so that is this funding here. And this will be in addition to any funding we receive through the Canada-wide Early Learning Child Care Agreement. And so instead of being rolled up into one single agreement, we have a couple of agreements going at the same time. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Sorry, I guess I must have missed the Minister's announcement so glad we've re-signed this deal. I see the deal runs to the 2025. What is the total cost of the deal? Thank you.

Thank you, Member. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, let me see if Mr. Courtoreille has that, as I am trying to -- just going to make sure I have the correct numbers. Thanks.

Thank you. Mr. Courtoreille.